I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
–Charles Dickens
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.”
–Luke 2:20 (HCSB)
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I want to bring just a few more thoughts regarding the Incarnation. This could be the last “Echo” of the year, as I’m not sure if I’ll write any next week or not. I want to encourage you to take time to contemplate on the Incarnation and what it means. Don’t shake your head in question, but open your eyes wide in wonder.
The New Bible Dictionary discusses the Incarnate State and I want to bring a few thoughts to your mind.
1) Dependence and Obedience
–the relationship between he Son and the Father did not change.
2) Sinlessness and Impeccability
–the nature and character of the Son did not change.
–“He was exempt from the entail of original sin in Adam is evident from the fact that He was not bound to die for sins of His own…”
3) Temptation and Moral Conflict
–it was necessary for Him to fight temptation in order to overcome it. (Remember, the first Adam did not overcome).
–His deity assured that He would not be tempted to stray from the Father’s will.
Nicene Creed
“…Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only begotten, that is, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made, things in heaven and things on the earth; who for us men and for our salvation came down and was made flesh, and became man, suffered, and rose on the third day, ascended into the heavens, is coming to judge the living and the dead…”
Statement of Fundament Truths of the Assembles of God
“The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, His is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man, is ‘Immanuel,’ God with us.
Since the name ‘Immanuel’ embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title Son of God, belongs to the order of eternity, and the title, Son of Man, to the order of time.”
Normally throughout this season I write regarding several of the wonderful Christmas carols. I do not want to be remiss, so I will give you a smidgen that speaks of the Incarnation.
“Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me….” (Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, Emily E.S. Elliott)
“Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’ incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men t’ appear, Jesus our Immanuel here.” (Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Charles Wesley)
And of course that solemn, wonderful hymn by Joseph Mohr.
“Silent night holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
———————————
I want to bring just a few more thoughts regarding the Incarnation. This could be the last “Echo” of the year, as I’m not sure if I’ll write any next week or not. I want to encourage you to take time to contemplate on the Incarnation and what it means. Don’t shake your head in question, but open your eyes wide in wonder.
The New Bible Dictionary discusses the Incarnate State and I want to bring a few thoughts to your mind.
1) Dependence and Obedience
–the relationship between he Son and the Father did not change.
2) Sinlessness and Impeccability
–the nature and character of the Son did not change.
–“He was exempt from the entail of original sin in Adam is evident from the fact that He was not bound to die for sins of His own…”
3) Temptation and Moral Conflict
–it was necessary for Him to fight temptation in order to overcome it. (Remember, the first Adam did not overcome).
–His deity assured that He would not be tempted to stray from the Father’s will.
Nicene Creed
“…Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only begotten, that is, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made, things in heaven and things on the earth; who for us men and for our salvation came down and was made flesh, and became man, suffered, and rose on the third day, ascended into the heavens, is coming to judge the living and the dead…”
Statement of Fundament Truths of the Assembles of God
“The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, His is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man, is ‘Immanuel,’ God with us.
Since the name ‘Immanuel’ embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title Son of God, belongs to the order of eternity, and the title, Son of Man, to the order of time.”
Normally throughout this season I write regarding several of the wonderful Christmas carols. I do not want to be remiss, so I will give you a smidgen that speaks of the Incarnation.
“Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me….” (Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, Emily E.S. Elliott)
“Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’ incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men t’ appear, Jesus our Immanuel here.” (Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Charles Wesley)
And of course that solemn, wonderful hymn by Joseph Mohr.
“Silent night holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!